Richard Hayward was one of Ireland's best-loved cultural figures of
the mid-twentieth century. A popular Irish travel writer, actor and
singer, he led an intense and productive life, leaving behind a
remarkable body of work through his writing and recordings. However,
since his death in a car crash in 1964, the man who was a celebrated
Irish household name has suffered neglect. Born in Southport,
Lancashire, Hayward was raised in Larne on the Antrim coast. He buried
his English past and devoted his days to promoting Ireland. As a
pioneering filmmaker, he appeared in the first black-and-white Irish
talkies' and broke new ground in his BBC radio work alongside Tyrone
Guthrie. On Radio Éireann, he sang with Delia Murphy and recorded
with Decca and HMV. In his travel books and enthusiasms, Hayward
opened up an unknown Ireland to thousands of people. Published to mark
the fiftieth anniversary of his death, Romancing Ireland draws
extensively on Hayward's original note- books, private papers and
hitherto unpublished letters. They reveal a man with an explosive
temper whose detractors envied his success. Paul Clements brings to
life the flamboyant personality, laced with hubris, of a largely
forgotten figure who contributed a cosy and unthreatening narrative to
the construction of an Irish cultural world. Romancing Ireland exposes
fascinating details and rare photographs that have lain unseen for
decades. It uncovers an extraordinary man with limitless energy and
passionate perceptions, who captured a newly independent Ireland in
all its changing hues.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781843516323
Publisert
2015
Utgiver
Vendor
The Lilliput Press
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter